Page 57 of Cold as Stone
Cash orders a beer, then turns to me with barely contained glee. “Have you told him yet?”
“Not yet.”
Lee’s eyes narrow and he glances between me and Cash. “Told me what?”
I clear my throat. “Mercy told me about the sex bet. I thought it only fair, since your club’s getting in on the action, that we should too.”
Cash is practically vibrating with amusement. “She’s placing her own bet.”
“Seriously?”
“Why not?” I shrug. “If you idiots are going to profit off my personal business, I might as well get a piece of the action.”
Lee looks like he’s caught between amusement and horror. “You’re okay with this?”
I grin. “We’re going to do it anyway. Might as well get something out of it.”
I pull some notes from my pocket and hand them over to Cash.
“Definitely feels like you’re rigging the system. I approve,” he says, tucking the bills into his wallet.
“All’s fair in love and gambling,” Mercy says cheerfully.
“What day did you pick?” Lee asks, and there’s something dangerous in his voice.
I meet his gaze steadily. “The 17th.”
“The 17th,” he repeats slowly.
“That’s two weeks away,” Cash points out helpfully. “A long time when you’re hot to trot.”
“I’m aware,” Lee says, his eyes never leaving mine.
“You’re really going to make the man wait two weeks?” Mercy asks, shaking her head. “That’s just cruel.”
“Good things come to those who wait,” I say primly.
Lee leans in, his jaw clenching. “You really wanna wait that long?”
No.
“We can do it,” I say, faking a confidence I don’t have.
Mercy whistles low. “You’re both far braver than me. I saw the kiss he laid on you when he got here. Ain’t no way I’d be waiting that long.”
Cash chuckles then drains his beer and tosses money on the bar. “Good luck, you two. Try not to burn the place down.”
After he leaves, Mercy makes herself scarce, muttering something about checking inventory in the back.
“Two weeks,” Lee says again, moving around the bar until he’s standing close enough that I can feel his body heat.
“Don’t think we can make it?” I ask.
“If we do, it’ll be through sheer willpower alone.” He steps closer, backing me against the bar. His hands settle on either side of me, caging me in. “Because two weeks is a long time, Kya. And I want you. Bad.”
I lift my chin, meeting his challenge. “We can do it. I believe in us.”
His smile is slow, wicked. “Oh, I know we can. But just be aware, you’ll be spending the next week in bed.”
